Factors associated with health-seeking behaviors of Native Hawaiian men.

Native Hawaiian men have higher mortality rates and lower life expectancies than Caucasian men in the United States and in Hawai'i. As an initial step in developing targeted cancer awareness interventions for Native Hawaiian men, the Native Hawaiian Cancer Committee (NHCC) of the American Cancer Society Hawai'i Pacific, Inc. conducted focus groups of Native Hawaiian men living in four geographical areas in Hawai'i in 2002-2003. The purpose was to explore attitudes and practices related to health-seeking behaviors among Native Hawaiian men. In all, 54 urban- and rural-dwelling men participated. Many common issues related to access to care, perceptions, attitudes, as well as cultural values were identified. These findings provide opportunities to motivate Hawaiian men to navigate the current healthcare system and facilitate access to healthcare. Integrating cultural strengths and preferences into health-seeking approaches can readily affect behaviors, and with time, improve the health status of Native Hawaiian men.